The class was silent. Finally a brave looking youth in the front raised his hand.

            The teacher smiled before pointing at him. “Yes?”

            “Because as commanders very little time is spent engaged in combat?”

            “Exactly! We cannot all be like the great kings of old, charging into battle valiantly with our men.” As the teacher talked he began to pace around the small classroom. “There was a time, when leading meant personal sacrifice and risk. For some of us, those of you that will start as lieutenants you may still retain that privilege but for our field officers our place is at the back of the ranks.”

            “Why is that?” someone called out.

            The teacher didn’t even look at the questioner as he continued. “Simply put, there is more to be done by the guiding and tactical development of men than there is in leading them into battle.”

            “That’s ridiculous,” a voice piped up.

            “Why?”

            “Commanders belong with their men in the field.”

            The teacher stopped pacing and smiled before walking back towards his desk. “Who was the greatest swordsman to ever live?” The question was nonchalant, almost betraying the teacher’s earnest nature.

            “Anthanias,” the voice answered.

            The teacher smiled. “Wrong. Simply wrong.” He took a book off the desk, “I’m going to read you a story.” He slowly opened the book, and took a deep breath before beginning to read. “Among the first to fall were Naius of the Beranthi and Teleran slew by an arrow.” He stopped and closed the book, “have any of you heard of Teleran before?”

            No one answered. Noticing the silence the teacher continued, “Naius once defeated Anthanias in swordplay. The annals of Anthanias don’t give the name of the mysterious swordsman, but the lost diaries of Teleran do. He relates how he was one to defeat Anthanias in battle. Like all subjugative literature mentioning Anthanias they were burned by Ibraim in the dark times. Can you imagine it? A swordsman greater than Anthanias himself, dying in the front lines before the battle was even joined. What glory is not earned in life is lost forever, for eternity has nothing in common with the ways of this world.”

            The teacher stared hard at the class as he said, “that is why leaders are favored so much. That is why they direct from the rear, and that is why it is imperative to know, that death while it might be glories means and end to any more great deeds that one had ever wished to do.”